I will soon retire from active duty after more than 30 years of service. Before I do that, I want to express my sincere appreciation for all you do, one more time. Today’s Air Force is an incredible institution. The amazing things you accomplish every day are a testament to the innovative spirit of today’s…

On Jan. 24, I was appointed as your 17th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. It was an incredible day and as we begin this journey, I wanted to send a quick note to let you know a little bit more about me. First and foremost, I could not be any prouder of the…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Air Force senior leaders directed a force-wide hiring freeze among other workforce actions in a memorandum sent to senior commanders, Jan. 16. The actions are part of the Air Force’s efforts to pursue reversible or recoverable steps to avoid impacts to core readiness caused by the looming possibility of sequestration and budgetary shortfalls. Civilian…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To roll with unprecedented strategic and fiscal challenges, the best path forward for the Air Force is to become smaller to protect a high-quality, ready force, top Air Force officials said. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed Pentagon reporters, addressing…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Air Force released a new Vision document outlining the force’s vision and way forward. “Focused on ‘Airmen, Mission and Innovation,’ I believe this short document captures what today’s Air Force is all about and where I think we ought to focus on for tomorrow,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen….

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas — When initially implemented, the Post-9/11 GI Bill education transfer program was phased in to enable Airmen nearing retirement to accept a 1-, 2-, or 3-year active-duty service commitment. That phase-in period expired July 31, 2012 and all active-duty Airmen now incur a 4-year ADSC, said Bruce Houseman, Air Force…

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas — Originally slated for December 2012, Air Force officials will now perform a major upgrade to the Military Personnel Data System, or MilPDS, in March 2013. The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency will upgrade and transfer MilPDS to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center. The project is…

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Air Force Reserve Command is adding resources and changing business practices to make travel voucher processing easier for reservists. Throughout FY13 the command will increase the number of Defense Travel System travel technicians to assist reservists with their travel vouchers, according to Michael Burgess, AFRC chief of financial operations at Robins…

Pentagon Channel

Information

Publisher

The Beacon is published by Aerotech News and Review. Aerotech is a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 452nd Air Mobility Wing. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for employees and members of U.S. military services, retirees and family members. Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the DoD or the Department of the Air Force.

Disclaimer

The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services by the DoD, the Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and Review, Inc.
Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the staff of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office at March Air Reserve Base. All photographs in the Beacon are Air Force photos unless otherwise stated.